Sports news from Los Angeles and beyond

Ernie Els, George H.W. Bush among inductees to golf hall of fame

Ernie Els, Jock Hutchison, Doug Ford and former president George H.W. Bush have been selected as the newest inductees to the World Golf Hall of Fame.

A fifth inductee will be announced in October and the class will be inducted May 9 at the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum near St. Augustine, Fla.

Els made the cut in his first year on the ballot, receiving 66% of the vote from a panel that includes writers, golf officials and other hall of famers. The South African golfer has 18 PGA Tour victories, including the 1994 and 1997 U.S. Open Championships and the 2002 British Open.

Ford and Hutchison were selected through the Veteran's Category. Ford has 19 tour victories, including the 1955 PGA Championship and the 1957 Masters. Hutchison, who died in 1977 at age 93, won 14 PGA events, including the 1920 PGA Championship and the 1921 British Open.

Bush was selected in the Lifetime Achievement Category. According to the PGA website, the 41st U.S. president "helped raise the profile of the sport of golf considerably both during and after his Presidential administration. He has been recognized by the golf community over the years, including receiving the 1997 PGA of America Distinguished Service Award, the USGA’s 2008 Bob Jones Award and the 2009 PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1996, President Bush served as honorary chairman of The Presidents Cup and has since attended every Presidents Cup. He is an honorary member of The PGA of America; honorary chair of the USGA Museum and Archives President’s council and has served as honorary chairman of The First Tee since 1997."